Automatic stage-lift flowing device



Aug-26, 1 930. A. B OYNTON AUTOMATIC STAGE LIFT FLOWING DEVICE Filed June 1. 1937 3Q 08 7 V m m a 2 w 5 T-\ '14. 1::15

INVENTOR M ATTORNEY t tial inside and outsi Patented Aug. 26, 1930 uNiTEo STATES ALEXANDER BOYNTON, or SAN Aurouro, TEXAS AUTOMATIC STAGE-LIFT FLOWING DEVICE Application filed June 1,

This invention relates to improvements in well flowing apparatus, and it consists of the constructions, combinations and arrangements herein described and claimed. 5 An object of the invention is to provide a flowing device which, as more fully appears later on, employs what is herein known as a revamping weight as well asa valve-plunger for partially utilizin the pressure differene of the tubing string for the purpose of controlling the liquid-medium (gas, air or other fluid) the actual operating impulse of the revamping weight being derived from the moving liquid column, the movement of which is the result of the foregoing pressure differential. 4

Another object of the invention is to provide a flowing device employing acertain di tferential principle, hereinafter announced, to the extent of performing an operation upon a valve plunger which is peculiarly identified with this rinciple, the valve plunger serving the purpose of obtaining what is known as the seal-off at certain times of the pressure fluid which raises the liquid column.

Other objects and advantages appear in had to the accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1 is a central vertical section of one form of flowing device employing, what is herein known as, a revamping weight,

Fig 2 is a horizontal section taken substantially on the line 2-2 of Fig. '1,

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of another form of the flowing device operating on the same principle as the form in Fig. 1, but being adaptable to what is known as the ,casing 40 method of raising liquid.

is associated with a series-of other applications known as Case'itl', filed April 5, 1927, Serial Number 181,144; Case #2, filed May 17, 1927, Serial Number 192,049; Case #3,

filed May 19, 1927, Serial- Number 192,717

and Case #4, filed May 25, 1927, Serial Num- -ber 194,122. but the association is only partial as indicated in the following respects: The inventions of the foregoing applications all have to do with the lifting of liquid, whether The'invention disclosed'in this application I 1927. Serial No. 195,739.

that be oil, water, etc., from a well, the arrangement being such "that the lifting impulses are supplied to the column'of liquid being lifted at stages.

Gas, air, or other suitable pressure fluid supplies the lifting impulse and the valve means of thevarious foregoin applications are of such design that they willoperate upon the occurrence of a difference in pressure inside and outside of the tubing and, in fact,

depend for their operation upon such dilference in pressure, this difference being commonly referred to as the diiferentiah A brief explanation will enable the reader to visualizefconditions in a well equipped with any of the devices in the foregoing applications, and will make clear to him the meaning of the term differential. The wall of the well bore is supposedly lined with a casing which is surmounted by a casing head from which. a tubing string is suspended' Provision is made for discharging the liquid of the well-either from the casing or from the tubing, either function being accom- 'plished by what is known as the casing or tubing method which merelyimply an introduction of the fluid either into the tubing orcasing.

For the time being, it is presumed .that' the well is to be evacuated by the tubing method, and it will be understood from the foregoing statement that pressure fluid is introduced into the well casing in order to bring this about. An impositionof pressure upon the liquid in the casing will cause a column of the-liquid to rise in the tubing, it being quite apparentthat a condition will be assumed when the elevated liquid column and the external-pressure fluid will balance each other. It is now that the improved valve devices function.

' An opening of the valve device nearest to the .liquid level in the casing will permit the influxof fluid pressure into the tubing and into the liquid column contained thereby so that the liquid column is given an upward impulse, As .the liquid column is thus made to rise, it will be evident that the back pressure of the liquid will tend to counteract the pressure on the outside. As the next lower valve device is uncovered by the receding li uid level in the casin a similar ha enins" b) O occurs, and the reader can readily visualize the situation of a plurality of the valve vices acting according to the fluid pressure on the outside and the varying back liquidpressure on the inside determining the position thereof.

The present invention utilizes the differential principle only partially, the plunger structure herein disclosed being-the indicator of the fact that the differential principle is used. The outstanding feature of the pres ent invention is what will be known as a revamping Weight, the term revamping" being defined, for the purposes of the present description, as ice-forming or re-conditioning the fluid which is acted upon and which actuates the so-called revampingweight. Reference is had to the drawings:

Tubing sections 1 must be regarded as part of a long tubin string suspended in a well, the casing of W ich is 'not shown. The

valve device is indicated at 2, this being a body of suitable shape serving the purpose of a cylinder in which the revamping weight 3 reciprocates. The revamping weight acts somewhat like a piston.

.A bushing 41 serves as a coupling between the tubing string and the valve body 2, the bushing being bored at 5 to provide the necessary liquid conduit, counter-bored at 6 to I provide a chamberfor the collar 7 of 'the re- 7 ing weight has a recess 15 by which the eX- i tension 16 ofthe plunger 17 is received. In-

asmuch as some turning movement of the revamping weight is expected and possibly.

desired, the recess 15 is made in'theform of a circular groove, the idea being to always affor'd a recess for the reception of the extension 16 regardless of how much the revamping weight may turn.

t is observed that the periphery of the baseflange 14 has a thin circular extension or skirt 18 which is adapted torest upon the Y shoulder 19 of the body-2 and face the ex- 'tremity- 20 of the weight passageway 21 slightly above the shoulder as at 22 thus to admit liquid to the circular recess 15 and as 'sist inraising the weight, although this lift-v ing effortof theliquid or fluid is by no means rel'ied'upon to' perform the intended function of revamping the liquid or'fiuid.

Turned edges at the extremity 20 as well as at the uppermostpart of, the throat 23 help in defining the chamber 22 previously alluded to. It isimportant to observe-at this point that the passage 21 diminishes from the bottom to the top, the bottom diameter being larger than that of the top. Twill be insantlyunderstood thatan expansion of the liquid or fluid in thespace 22 and at the bot tom of the passage 21=will at once be followed by a contraction of the liquid or fluid as it moves upwardly in the passage 21 and reaches the smaller portion thereof. The re striction of the passage thus remolds or reforms, so to speak, the rapidly moving fluid or liquid, this re-vamping of the fluid and the engagement thereof with the tapering wall of the passage 21 supplying the energ to raise the weight 8 for the release of the plunger 17.

Reverting to the plunger, it is observed that a chamber 2 1 provides a housing in which the plunger is situated. One end of an inlet port 25 im the plug 26 provides the seat for the plunger 17. An annular restriction 27 leaves an outstanding circular flange 28 which is spirally grooved at 29 to cause turning of the plunger by action of the by-passing fluid. The continuation of the restriction 27 beyond the flange 28 provides a valve end 30 which is capable of engaging the upper seat 31. The following dimensions are given for the exemplification of the practical manufacture of the device. The difference in diameterbetween the plunger and the plunger chamber bore should be from .005" to .025. The difference in diameter between plunger shank 16 and discharge port through which it works should be greater than the difference in diamters first mentioned for the reason that the diameters first mentioned must govern without interference by restricted passage around.

plunger extension 16.

The devices should be so spaced in the tub ing string that the weight of fluid in the tubing between adjacent devices is from onefourth to one-half as much the pressure per square inch required to compress the spring and thereby force the plunger to sealing-ofi' engagement upon its upper seat. illustration, assume the weight of the fluid between any two' adjacent devices to be 30 lbs. per square inch, then the pressure-per square inch required to compress the spring and seal-ofi' the plungerupon its upper seat should be 60 lbs. to 120 lbs.

The above spacing gives the best results and states the spacing rule correctly, but flow will be initiated and maintained if the weight of the fluid per square inch between the valves is only slightly less than the pressure per square inch required to compress the spring sufficiently to cause the plunger to seal-01f upon its upper seat. For illustration assume the Weight of the fluid between any two adj a For,

cent devices to be 30 lbs. per square inch, then the pressure per square inch required to com- I to 120 lbs.

In this case, however, it will be noted that there is considerable weight represented by the member contacting with lower end of.

spring. This weight will correspondingly reduce the spring tension required to produce the seal-off at desired pressure.

The operation is readily understood. It

is to be observed, first of all, that there is a slight space between the extremity ofthe extension 16 and the adjacent recess 15 thus affording sufficient room for a slight upward movement of the plunger 17 to admit fluid pressure from the surrounding casing (not shown) "to the interior of the tubing string 1.

It is assumed that there is fluid (gas or air) slightly less than plunger base 17, a direct in the casing surrounding the tubing at a prcssure'of 200 pounds. This fluid is admit ted from an can readily imagine' a valve in the tubing string, sometimes referred to as the flowline. This valve is for the time being, supposed to be closed, but by virtueof the permissible movement of the plunger 17, there will be an equalization of fluid pressures inside and outside of the tubing string as well as an arrival at a common level of the liquid in both the casing'and tubing.

It will, of course, be apparent that different flowing conditions, depth of well, volume of fluid, specific gravity of fluid, degree of aeration, etc., will require a number of variations and adjustments in the general assembly and construction of this device without materially affecting the principles involved and the general types of construction embodied to properly-utilize the same.

Certain working conditions, especially Where larger volumes of compressed air, gas or other means are applied, will cause the device to function more efliciently if revamping weight 3 is-in its lowermost positibn,

This, of course, would require that extensions 18 be shortened to allow such contact. Such construction, while apparently holding base 17 of. plunger. 27 upon its lower seat, and consequently apparently in. the

closed position, is in fact for all practical purposes, the open position for the reason that any appreciable differential will cause plunger 27 to rise by direct pressure and consequently lift revamping weight 3 to the extent of allowing lifting energy to enter 1 chamber 21 at all proper times to speed up the moving columnwhenever the same slows down by reason of a falling differential.

To illustrate, let us assume that the area of port 25 is and that the cross sectional area of plunger base 17 is 1" and that revamping weight 3' and plunger 27 have a suitable source. The reader combined weight of five pounds. Assume plunger base 17 to be firmly seated "upon port 25 and revamping weight 3, of course,

to be seated upon, lunger end 16. 20 pounds per square inch 0 differential will therefore be required to unseat plunger base 17 because the cross sectional area of port 25 is 4 and the Weight-of plunger and revampi-ng weight is 5 pounds, these factors being given as an example. Instantly, however, after the seal-oft is broken between plunger end-17 and port 25 the pressure is transferred to the larger area (1 sq. inch) of plunger 17.

As long thereafter as 5 pounds of differential can act upon plunger base 17 theflsame will remain unseated, and in the intaking position.- Some loss of pressurewill, of course, esult from the fact that there is by passing space between plunger 27 and plunger chamber 24. I

By enlarging port 25 to an area only pressure of slightly moregthan 5 pounds will cause an unseating of the. plunger and intaking through the valve. This intaking at approximately, "5, pounds of pressure results 1n a etting effect which is mechanically beneficial, especially in air or gas lifts of'heavy or viscous fluids.

To cause the well to flow, open the valve in the tubing string. The fluid (gas or air) within the tubing and under 200 lbs. pressure, is thus released, and the liquid level within the tubing begins to rise rapidly by virtue of. the 200 lbs. pressure of the fluid outside of the tubing upon the well liquid exterior of the tubing.

An actual installation of the invention re quires numerous valves connected inthe tubing string at intervals. The uppermost valve now instantly closes in the following man- .ner: The rapid rush of pressure fluid that point, remain seated upon the plunger extension '16, but the spacing between the plunger extension'and the recess 16 will permit the by-passing of sufficient pressure fluid to keep the liquid column moving. The liquid level in the surrounding casing will continue to lower until the next lower valve is exposed for functioning tothe end of admitting pressure fluid at such location.

When this next lower valve thus functions, the rapidly rising liquid column picks up or" raises the revamping weight 8 oi? the valve above, thereby permitting the associated plunger 17 to seat and seal-oil the intaking means of said valve. The plunger is so constructed that it will rise and seal-off at a difl'erential.of 1 lb. (that is to say. a diffcrence of l lb. more on the outside than on the inside of the tubing string), after the I revamping weight 3 has been lifted by the velocity of the liquid column. The revamping weight is subject to operation'by the moving liquid column, this movement being the result of a pressure differential within and without the tubing string.

- It is observed in Fig. ltliat the revamping weight 3 is formed much on the order of a shell, that is to say, the wall around the passage 21 is'relatively thin. All thatspace appearing around the well intcrmediately of the flanges 11 and 14 .may, in practice, he

made smaller in case particular, flowing conditions require additional weight. Itis thus optional whether the spring 9 be employed for it is evident that added weight will serve in lieu of the spring. It is probably more desirable to turn the revamping weight away asindicated and to employ the spring, be cause then the contacting surface is reduced to a minimhm as is also the likelihood of the revamping weight becoming stuck by the lodgement of mud or other foreign matter between the weight and wall of the body 2.

- Fig. 3 illustrates a modification of the revamping weight type of flowing device adaptable to the casing method of lifting'the liquid from the well; Such parts as cor respond with similar parts in Fig L 1 are designated with similar characters without a repetitionof-the description.

It is observed that the valve-body or cylinder 2 is now considerably elongated, and that it forms both a mounting and guide for the revamping weightB of general cylindrical formation. "The valve body-2 has a port 32 at which pressure fluid may escape from. the

tubing stringjlinto the well casing now ini dicated at .33.: Incidentally, it may be observed that the bushing or coupling 4 has projections or wings 34 which centralize the position of the valve and prevent obstruction to the flowing space around the tubing string.

For the purpose of understanding the op-. eration of the modification in Fig. 13, the reader 'must assume. the tubing string 1 as being connected'withthe source: of pressure compressed fluid in the casing will at once rush upward thus lifting the revamping weight 3 by virtue of impact with the circular flange 11. The fluid pressure on the inside of the tubing stringseeks to escape at the port 32, and inasmuch as the lifted revamping weight 3 offers no obstruction, the

plunger v17 is raised until the valve end 30 firmly engages the seat 3l:thus sealing this point of egress against further escape of fluid pressure The same action occurs in respect to each valve device in rhythmic downward suc cession, until a point or condition is reached where the moving liquid column fails to exert suflicient lifting energy upon the circular flange 11 to hold the revamping weight in the suspended position, thus permitting the redisengage the plunger from the seat. 31 and permit the escape of pressure fluid from the vamping weight to settle back and press' .down upon the eiitension 16 sufficiently to tubing string through the port 32and into the liquid in the casing for the application of the necessary lifting energy at that point.

Rapid upward movement of the liquid column in the casing indicates that no additional energy need be supplied at the point where such rapid movement occurs. On the other hand the absence of rapid upward movement indicates that lifting energy is needed, and when such condition exists the consequent.

settling back of the revamping weight upon the plunger extension unseats the plunger,

as just stated, letting enough pressure fluid out of the tubing into the casing to accom-' plish the intended purpose of: imparting the necessary speed to the lagging liquid column.

- Although the forms of the revamping weight in Figs. land 3 are somewhat dissimilar, it will be observed that each is subject to the same principle of operation; it is the action of the upwardly moving liquid column upon the weight that raises the weight from the plunger permitting asealing-ofi against the escape of pressure fluid.

Itis apparent-that the sealing-off function can operate only when the velocity of the liquid stream is sufiicintly greatto fully lift the weight and hold it in suspensionfrom the'recession upon the plunger projection 16.

While the construction and arrangement of the revamping-weight type of flowing demade without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims. I

i 1. A device of the character described-com prising a tubing extensible into a body of iquid, valve means associated with the tubvice is that of generally preferred forms, obviously modifications and changes may be,

ing for controlling the admission of pressure fluid from one side to the other of the tubing into a volume of-the liquid at said other'side of the tubing, and means subject to movement independently of said valve means adsaid passageway.

cording to the velocity of liquid moving thereby on said other side of the tubing thus to determine the extent of operation of the valve device. 2. A device of the character described including a tubing extensible into a body oj liquid to be flowed, a valve device situated in a passageway 'aflording communication be-,

' communicating passageway but being capable of suspension in the liquid stream when the velocity thereof becomes sufliciently great by virtue of the addition thereto of pressure uid thus permitting the valve device to close 3. A device of the character described comprising means constituting a conduit in which there is adapted to be a flow of fluid, means so disposed within the conduitthat the pressure imposed thereupon by virtue of the flowing fluid tends to'suspend said means within the fluid streamthe degree of suspen-' sion varying in accordance with the velocity of the fluid stream and the consequent degree of pressure upon said means, and an independent valve device in position to control the admission of fluid into said conduit whereby said velocity is established, the controlling positions of said valve devicebeing supervised and regulated by the degrees of suspension of said first means.

4. A device of the-character described comprising means constituting a conduit in which there is adapted to bea flow of fluid, means partially subject to determined diflerences in pressure inside and outside'of the conduit to perform a sealing-0E actionupon the flow of fluid from one side to the other of the conduit at a designated point, and independent 45. means subject to variable operation by the variable velocity of fluid flowing in the conduit to impose a controlling eflect upon first means. p U

5. A device of thecharacter described compressing means constituting a conduit in which there is adapted to bea flow of liquid,

there being provision for maintaining a pressure of fluidoutside of the conduit, valve *iheans partially subject to determined dif- 5 ference in liquid and fluid pressure inside and outside of the conduitto perform a sealingofl action upon the flow 'ofpressure fluid through a. passage affording communication between the interior and exterior of the conduit, and independent meansin the conduit subject to variable operation'by the variable velocity of liquid flowing therein by virtue of the'imp'ulse supplied thereto by the pressure fluid, said independent means imposing a controlling eflect upon saidi'valve means and permitting sealing-ofi'. thereof when the liquid veolcity reaches a determined point.

6. A device of the character described comprising means constituting a conduit in which there is adapted to be a flow of liquid there .being provision for maintaining a pressure fluid outside of the conduit, means located within'and' defining part of the conduit being capable of axial movement and subject in such movementto the velocity of a liquid column moving in the conduit, and, valve means situated in a pasasge aflording' communication between the interior and the ex--- terior of the conduit through which passage pressure fluid is admissible for the movin of said liquid column, said valve means being subject to control by thevarying positions of said first means.

7 A device of the character described comprising means constituting a conduit in which there isadapted to be a flow of liquid there I being provision for maintaining a pressure of fluid atone side of the conduit, means located within the conduit and being so arranged that a column of liquid flowing thereby will in its position within the conduit, valve means situated in a passage affording communication between the interior and exterior of the conduit through which passage pressure of fluid is" admissible for themoving of said liquid column, and an extension including a flange upon said first means bein so associ-.

impose such pressure thereupon as to move it ated with the valve means as to e ect control to an extent determined by the velocity of pmoveinent of the li uid column and valve -means situated in'sai passage affording communication between the interior and exterior of the valve body and being subject in its "control of the admission of pressure fluid .from the exterior to the interior of the valve body by virtue of various positions of said first means in-the valve body.

I 9. A device of'the character described comprising means constituting a fixed conduit in which there is adapted'tobe a flow of liquid, a member constituting a movable part of the conduit having a constriction through which the liquid moves causing such compression of the liquid as in turn will move the member, and independent valve means in position to control the admission of fluid under-pressure to the conduit to supply a moving im pulse to the liquid column, said valve means being governed in its permissible action by said member. 7

1 A vi e at th chara t r described comprising means constituting a fixed conduit, a valve body connected in the conduit, a cylindrical-weight located within the A valve body having a constricted passageway through which a liquid column is adapted to flow causing axial movement of the weight due to impact against the constriction and according to the velocity of the liquid flow, and

a valve device situated in a passage in the valve body afiording'communication between the interior and exterior of the conduit, said valve device being governed in its permissible action by saidwei ht.

11. A device 0 the character described .comprising means constituting a fixed conduit, a valve body connected in the conduit, a

, cylindrical weight located within the valve body, having a eonstr'ic ted passageway through which aliquid column is adapted to flow causing axia 1 movement of the weight due to impact. against the constriction and valve device being governed in its permissible action by said weight, and resilient means 1naccording to the velocity of the liquid flow, a valve device situated in a passage in the valve body alfording communication between the interior and exterior of the conduit, said cludinga spring assisting the weight intendduit, and a valve device located in the first ing to hold the position.

12. A device' of "the character described comprising means constituting a conduit, a valve. body situated in the conduit and having a passageway affording communication between, the interionan'd the exterior, a weight situatedin the valve body having a valve device in a determined passageway tapering from one end to the other in the direction of liquid flow in the conpassageway to control the'influx of pressure fluid into the valve body and liquid column therein, the action of said valve device being governed by the weight which is subject to varying positions in respect to the valve device by virtue of variations in the velocity of the liquid-column.

'13. A flowing device comprising a valve I body having a passageway, a movable weight situated in the valve body having a tapering the valve means and beingin-position to'repassageway and flanges one of which has a recess, bearing means associated with the other flange reducing the friction ofmovement of the weight, anda valve device situ- 'ated in the first passageway to control the passage of pressure fluid in respect to the valve body, said recess receiving-a portion of a moving liquid-column thus exercising a control over the valve device according to the velocity of said column.

15. A flowing device comprising a valve body havinga' passageway, a plunger operable in the'passageway' and having an extension, a coupling bushing associated with the valve body, a cylindrical weight movable in respect to the valve body having a flange con- I fronting the bushing and a flange coacting with the plunger extension, and resilient means interposed between the first flange and bushing.

16.- A flowing device comprising a valve body having a passageway and a shoulder, a plunger operable in the passageway and having an extensipn passing through the shoulder, a cylindrical weight movable in respect to the valve body, a flangeon the weight having a recess confronting the extension, and a skirt on the flange engaging the shoulder to space the-extension from the bottom of the recess.

17. A flowing device comprising a valve body having a passageway and a shoulder, a plunger "operable in the'passageway and hav-. ing an extension passing through the shoulder, a cylindrical weight axially and rotatably movable in respect to the valve body, and a flangeconfronting the shoulder and having an annular recess receiving the end of the plunger extension at any revolved position of the weight.

18. Apparatus of the character described comprlslng means constituting a conduit in which a column of liquid may be lifted, an

element forming part of the conduit being variously movable by varying velocities in movement of the liquid column, and an inde pendent valve element for the control of admission of pressure fluid to the conduit for imparting lifting energy to the liquid column,

said valve element being regulated in its positions by the various movement of said foregoing element.

-- 19.- Apparatus of the character described comprising means constituting a conduit in which a column of liquid may be lifted said means ncluding a shell having a valve casing with a passageway aflording communication between the interlor and exterior of the condu it-, an element forming part of the conduit being'variouslymovable insaid shell by varying velocities in movement-of the liquid column, and a valve element operablein the passageway by the pressure of fluid. seeking to enter the condu itbut-being controlled in its admissive positions by the varying positions of said first element. is? 5 20. Apparatus'of the character described comprising means constituting a liquid conduit, a shell forming part of the conduit havingia' formation comprising a valve casing which hasa passagewaypaifording communi cation between the interior and exterior said passageway including a seat, a valve element operable in the passageway toward a sealingofl' engagement with the seat and having-a stem extending past the seat, and a revamping element operable in the shell by varying velocities in movement of a liquid column said element incuding a flange engageable with the stem at predeterminedtimes.

21. Apparatus of'the character described comprising means constituting a liquid conduit, a shell connected in the conduit having a formation providing a 'valve casing which has a' passageway'for the introduction of external pressure fluid to the interior of the conduit said passageway having a seat,a valveelement operable in the passageway by the pressure of fluid flowing therein, a revamping element forming part of the conduit and be ing movable inthe shell by varying velocities.

in movement of the liquid column, and a piston forming part of the revamping element being guided in the shell and extending overthe stem to effect a control of the valve element, there beinga space between said piston and the extremity of the stem permitting unobstructed motion of the valve element for-- the initial introduction of a charge of pressure of pressurefiuid therethrough, and an ele- 22; :Flowing apparatus comprising a shell having a passageway afiordlng communication between the interior and exterior, a valve operable in the passageway to control the flow ment movable axially in respect-to the shell by a flow of liquid engendered in the shell by an admission of pressure fluid at said passageway, having means engageable with the valve tend-in to' urge it to a seating position.

I 23. lowing apparatus comprising a shell having a passageway affording communication between the interior and exterior, an element movable longitudinally in respect to the shell by'a flow of liquid in the shell engendered by pressure fluid admitted at said pas sageway, and a valve capable of sealing cit.

either end of the passageway, beingengageable with a. part of and movable with said element after a free initial movement of said valve. a

24. Flowing apparatus comprising a shell having a passageway a'fi'ording communication between the interior and exterior, an element forming part of a conduit in which a flow of liquid is engendered in the shell I. by pressure fluid admitted atjsaid passageway and being movable rectilin'early by said liquid How, and a valve controlling the admission of pressure fluid in said passageway, being engageable by a art ofsaid element to produce movements o the valve in harmony with those of said element during the major actions of the valve and said element.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

